Philippine Journal of Science
150 (6A): 1573-1591, December 2021
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 07 Jun 2021

Innovation Culture of Selected Agricultural
State Universities and Colleges (SUCs)
in Regions III and VIII

Paul Jersey G. Leron¹* and Rowena DT. Baconguis²

¹Applied Communication Division, Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic,
and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD)
Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Los Baños, Laguna 4030 Philippines
²Institute for Governance and Rural Development (IGRD)
College of Public Affairs and Development (CPAf)
University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), College, Laguna 4031 Philippines

*Corresponding author: p.leron@pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph

ABSTRACT

This paper extends the concept of innovation culture to higher education institutions (HEIs), particularly in the context of doing research and development (R&D) in agricultural state universities and colleges (SUCs). Through the synthesis of related literature, we learned the different organizational, human, and collaborative dimensions of innovation culture. Using case study research design, 40 R&D managers and administrators, innovators, and faculty-research personnel from selected Levels 3 and 4 agricultural SUCs from Regions III and VIII were involved in a series of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs). Institutional statements such as mission, vision, and organizational goals were used as secondary data. Explicitation techniques and content analysis were applied to identify themes and concepts related to innovation, innovation culture, and the challenges in doing R&D in the university. Results revealed that the aspects of innovation and the concept of innovation culture were embedded in the institutional statements, as well as in the values of the participants. It was observed that the participants widely understood and appreciated the concept and attributes of innovation culture in relation to R&D activities in the university. We learned that creativity and flexibility, innovation resources, training and capacity development, and coaching and mentoring were key elements of innovation culture that can help address the managerial and institutional challenges in the university. Lastly, identifying, assessing, and determining the impacts of the specific dimensions and elements of innovation culture on R&D productivity, as well as in producing innovative graduates, were deemed relevant areas for research.